Best beaches

The longest and most popular beach in Nerja, Burriana stretches for 800 metres at the foot of a pine-covered hill. Golden sand, calm water and a full row of chiringuitos make it the social centre of the coast. Arrive before 10am in July and August — it fills up fast. The Ayo paella restaurant at the east end is an institution.

ⓘ Parking at the top of the hill, then steps or lift down. Sunbeds available for hire. Lifeguard May–Oct.

On the west side of Nerja, Torrecilla is where many locals prefer to swim. Less tourist infrastructure than Burriana — fewer sunbeds, fewer souvenir sellers — but a decent chiringuito and, on most days, noticeably fewer people. Easy access from the road.

ⓘ Road-level access. Small car park nearby. No sunbed hire — bring your own towel.

A short walk east of the Balcón de Europa, El Salón sits below the old town cliffs. Small by comparison — maybe 200 metres — but the setting is dramatic. The water is clear and it tends to stay cooler in the morning shade of the cliff. Reached by a steep staircase.

ⓘ Steep staircase only — not suitable for pushchairs. Small, fills quickly.

Tucked into the cliff face just east of the Balcón de Europa, Calahonda is technically a city beach but feels completely different from Burriana. Rocky outcrops and calm, very clear water make it one of the best snorkelling spots in town. You will share it with locals on weekend mornings.

ⓘ Steps from the Balcón promenade. No facilities. No sunbeds.

Between Torrecilla and the Balcón, Carabeo is a natural pebble cove framed by white houses and bougainvillea. Small — barely 80 metres — but strikingly beautiful. It has an informal beach bar during summer months. Worth visiting just to see it, even if you swim elsewhere.

ⓘ Access via Calle Carabeo steps. No parking nearby — walk from town.

Fifteen minutes east of Nerja, Maro beach sits at the bottom of steep white cliffs in a protected natural park. The water is a shade of turquoise that seems almost artificial. A small chiringuito operates May–September. Quite crowded by mid-morning in summer — get there early or go late afternoon.

ⓘ Limited roadside parking — arrive before 9am in summer. 10-minute walk down from the car park.

Accessible only on foot — a 45-minute coastal walk from Maro — or by kayak, Las Alberquillas is the kind of beach that makes you understand why people chose to live here. A wide pebble bay surrounded by vertical white cliffs and water that changes colour with the light. No facilities whatsoever. Bring everything you need.

ⓘ 45 min walk from Maro village. Kayak hire available in Nerja. No shade — hat and water essential.

A tiny sandy cove hidden beneath the cliffs between Maro and the Cerro Gordo headland. The path down is steep and unmarked — ask locally for directions. The water is exceptionally clear, the surrounding cliffs provide afternoon shade, and very few tourists find it. Bring snorkelling gear.

ⓘ Unmarked path — ask in Maro village. Steep descent, not suitable for children under 8.

The far side of the Cerro Gordo headland — technically in Granada province — El Cañuelo is a wide pebble beach inside the Maro-Cerro Gordo natural park. Almost no development, protected on three sides by cliffs, with a single beach bar in summer. The drive along the coast road is half the experience.

ⓘ Access via MA-4107 from La Herradura. Small car park fills by 10am in summer.